Editorialhttp://www.dailynews.lk/taxonomy/term/795/all
enA quick solution, the hope of allhttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/19/editorial/168848/quick-solution-hope-all
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/18/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/18/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="A quick solution, the hope of all" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/18/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The assurance given by President Maithripala Sirisena to Government officials that the current political crisis will be resolved within the coming days, no doubt would be received with a huge sigh of relief by the general public. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole country is today going through a surreal dream unable to grasp what really is happening in their midst. Political grandstanding has to take precedence over reason and sound judgement by all actors in this drama resulting in the country’s image being blackened. Hence the sooner the crisis is resolved the better it will be for all, particularly the health of the country.</p>
<p>Addressing Ministry Secretaries, District Secretaries, general secretaries and heads of public bodies on Saturday, the President appealed to them to ensure that the public sector is not crippled and to move forward effectively and efficiently. While asserting that the current political crisis will be resolved, he reiterated that it was the responsibility of government officials to uphold the administration and ensure its undisturbed continuation. While some ministry secretaries apprised the President of the practical difficulties they encountered due to the deepening political crisis, the President advised them to continue in the normal course. Above all he advised them to remain politically neutral. As officials engaged in serving the public it was important that they remain apolitical at all time, President Sirisena told the officials.</p>
<p>It is palpably evident that the effects of the current political imbroglio had seeped not only into the state administration but also enveloped the society at large and is having a deeply negative outcome. The general talk in the offices, in buses and the market place is about what is going to happen next. It is no exaggeration to say that the country is in a state of drift with the people looking aghast at the unfolding developments. The ugly scenes in Parliament over the last few days that were given live television coverage had also shocked the general public and is certain to have brought a bad reputation to the country.</p>
<p>Needless to say, the political unrest that, no doubt, had created a negative image of the country would also deal a body blow to the tourism industry and dent investor confidence. The tumble of the rupees against the dollar is continuing apace and is bound to have direct consequences on the economy. The cumulative effect of all these negatives will soon see this country pushed over a precipice if drastic action is not taken to reverse the trend.</p>
<p>It is in this context that the President’s assurance of a solution to the current political in the coming days has come as a breath of fresh air in an otherwise gloomy scenario. At the time of writing the President had scheduled a meeting with the party leaders represented in parliament in an apparent bid to reach a comprise solution, with some newspapers even speculating that former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe too was due to meet the President along with the party leaders. In this respect the UNP has a bounden duty, as a party who had ruled this country, to agree on a comprise to end the stalemate, without sticking to its guns, since being adamant could only prolong the crisis.</p>
<p>The intransigence would also earn for itself the pubic wrath which would give vent to at a future election, since the public mood presently is for the political impasse to be resolved and the country returned to normality.</p>
<p>In this context Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa should be commended for offering to step down from his post if the No-Confidence motion brought against him would be presented in the proper manner, demonstrating that he did not want to cling onto power and was willing to take a step back for the greater good of the country. Speaking at a religious ceremony in Weeraketiya, Tangalle on Saturday the Premier said; if they (the UNP) take the vote in keeping with the Standing Orders of Parliament and show that they have a majority I am willing to step down”.</p>
<p>This indeed is statesman like declaration where PM Rajapaksa, who was twice head of state, is demonstrating his willingness to make a sacrifice for the sake of the country. Even in his address to Parliament on Friday Premier Rajapaksa, amidst the cacophony, made the point that he had been Prime Minister and President before this and that it was no big deal for him to forego his post.</p>
<p>It is not clear yet as to what form the solution to the crisis will take and what the parties will decide at the discussion. Whatever it is, it will be the hope of each and every citizen of this country that the political gridlock would end and the wheels of the state start moving in earnest. Religious leaders too have appealed to all concerned for a break in the current deadlock without further delay. It is hoped that saner counsel prevails and wisdom dawns on all to realize the dire need of getting the country out of the present political quagmire. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-19T01:00:00+05:30">Monday, November 19, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_1">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F19%2Feditorial%2F168848%2Fquick-solution-hope-all&amp;title=A%20quick%20solution%2C%20the%20hope%20of%20all"></a>
</span>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--//--><![CDATA[//><!--
if(window.da2a)da2a.script_load();
//--><!]]>
</script>Sun, 18 Nov 2018 15:25:26 +0000pushpika168848 at http://www.dailynews.lkAn impetus for developmenthttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/17/editorial/168722/impetus-development
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/16/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/16/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="An impetus for development" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/16/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Development must essentially be a continuous process that is not impacted by changes in the political landscape. There has been a tendency in this country to stop the development projects of the previous Government solely on political grounds and even out of spite. For example, the previous Government elected in January 2015 put on hold many projects including the Port City project. Fortunately, sanity prevailed and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe even became its biggest proponent, espousing its benefits in many foreign capitals.</p>
<p>President Maithripala Sirisena has made it clear that all development projects initiated in the last few years must go ahead without any interruption. In fact, even amidst the fast-changing political developments in Colombo, he took time out to personally supervise several development and welfare projects. This is indeed a praiseworthy move.</p>
<p>Being an emerging economy, Sri Lanka has limited domestic funds for development. This is where our international partners come into the picture. Many friendly countries including India, China, Japan, UK, USA and EU nations have been assisting our development projects. One of the prime areas for foreign investment is the transport sector comprising roads and railways. We reported yesterday that the extension of the Southern Expressway to Mattala is nearing completion while the extension of the Southern railway line to Kataragama is also literally on track for completion by the target date.</p>
<p>The railways have the potential to be a much bigger player in the passenger and goods transport sector. But Modernisation is essential for this to happen. This will receive a boost next week when the Indian Railways exports the first state-of-the-art Diesel Multiple Units (DEMU) train rakes to Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>The first rake is part of an export order of six rakes of DEMU to Sri Lanka. As part of the order, Integral Coach Factory Chennai will manufacture six DEMU rakes consisting of 78 coaches in five variants. The order is being jointly executed by the Indian Rail Company RITES and ICF under an India-Sri Lanka economic cooperation agreement.</p>
<p>There will be three different types of coaches -- AC Executive Class, Second and Third Class - and, as per the Sri Lanka Railways requirement, they will only have seating facility. The DEMU rake is powered by a 1,800 HP onboard engine and has a newly-designed stainless steel aerodynamic front end to reduce drag at high speeds.</p>
<p>There are many first time features in the new DEMU coaches to make it contemporary and on par with Metro trains. The new features include plush interiors, a GPS-based passenger information system in all coaches, halogen-free rubber flooring, individually revolving seats, facility for driver announcements and individual audio controls for AC class passengers. Many of these features will be seen in our railway system for the first time.</p>
<p>Each DEMU rake consists of 13 cars in a combination of two driving power cars with economy class seating, two driving trailer cars with economy class seating, two air-conditioned chair cars with rotatable seats, two business class chair cars and five economy class coaches. The AC first class coach can accommodate 52 passengers, the economy car can accommodate 90 and the Business class coach has a capacity of 64 passengers.</p>
<p>Sri Lankan and Indian Railway engineers working on the project have addressed another concern – corrosion of exterior parts. Since Sri Lanka has large portions of rail lines along coastal areas, rail coaches are prone to corrosion. Thus the car body along with all interior fittings has been made of authentic stainless steel and special paint has been used on the coaches and under-frame to prevent corrosion. The body will be painted with special high class anti-graffiti paint that will be appealing and long lasting.</p>
<p>This latest addition to the Sri Lanka Railway will no doubt help attract more passengers especially on long distance routes such as Matara, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. The train is a much more comfortable and less time consuming alternative to the AC buses and many car owners are also likely to take the train given the multitude of comforts available in the new compartments. The plush new trains should be heavily promoted at least in the initial stages to attract more passengers including foreign tourists.</p>
<p>The authorities must also move ahead with two other railway projects – the electrification of parts of the main line (say, from Aluthgama to Polgahawela) and the seven-line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Colombo and main suburbs. Both projects have the potential to be game changers in the transport industry. We have been talking about electrification from 1948 itself, with nothing actually happening. This time, words must be translated into action.</p>
<p>The LRT will perhaps be the biggest transport project ever to be undertaken in Sri Lanka, with the first line from Malabe to Colombo due to begin construction in 2020. This has the potential to drastically reduce traffic congestion in and around Colombo, as many car owners are likely to hop on board the LRT, which can reduce commuting times by at least one hour. We must reap the maximum benefits of the coming railway revolution.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-17T01:00:00+05:30">Saturday, November 17, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_2">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F17%2Feditorial%2F168722%2Fimpetus-development&amp;title=An%20impetus%20for%20development"></a>
</span>
Fri, 16 Nov 2018 13:09:24 +0000malinga168722 at http://www.dailynews.lkElections the answerhttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/16/editorial/168652/elections-answer
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/15/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/15/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="Elections the answer" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/15/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday gave expression to what no doubt a majority of the public would desire at this particular juncture when the nation is at a crossroads. Making his inaugural address to Parliament since being sworn in on October 26, Premier Rajapaksa said the only option before the country now lay in holing a General Election to resolve the present gridlock between the Executive and the Legislature. The country is in a state of drift while the political tussle is continuing in earnest.</p>
<p>True to form, yesterday too Parliament was plunged into anarchy when MP Lakshman Kiriella demanded that a confidence vote be taken on the Prime Minister’s address. When Speaker Karu Jayasuriya gave the option for the Members to decide if the vote was to be taken by name, all hell broke out in the Well of the House resulting in the Speaker finally having to vacate the Chamber with proceedings once again in disarray. For how long can this state of affairs continue? With the final decision of the Supreme Court on the dissolution of Parliament set for December 7, the country cannot remain in this chaotic state until then.</p>
<p>Both sides appear to be sticking to their guns, with the UNP and its allies claiming victory on the one hand and the Government holding onto the same position. The Speaker too appears to be intransigent and adding to the chaos. On the one hand President Sirisena is firmly of the view that all his actions were derived from the Constitution while Opposition is claiming otherwise. Legal opinion on both sides are based on partisanship with the only option open being to go before the Supreme Court for a clear ruling.</p>
<p>The UNP understandably is reluctant to resort to such a course, perhaps, wary that the President’s position would be vindicated, like it is wary of elections. No doubt the February 10 drubbing is still haunting the minds of the UNP hierarchy who would not want elections if they could help it. Considering the burdens the Greens heaped on the people during the three and half years of Yahapalanaya rule, elections no doubt would be a daunting prospect for the UNP. Besides a simple calculation would show that the combined vote obtained by the SLFP/UPFA and the SLPP topped the 55% mark which the UNP could never hope to achieve as a single party.</p>
<p>There is also the demand by the party rank and file that Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down from the leadership for Sajith to take over. Compounding the misery is the fact that the Green Party may have to face an election sans State power at its disposal.</p>
<p>But there is no other option but a General Election at this point of time if the country is to be salvaged. Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is known for his wisdom should seriously consider this option and offer his party's support for a two thirds majority in Parliament leading to dissolution and a General Election. The JVP which has a much less prospect of winning an election than the UNP had offered its support in this regard for which Premier Rajapaksa expressed his genuine appreciation in his address to Parliament. After all elections are the lifeblood of democracy.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has come in for heavy flak from the Government for the manner in which he is conducting affairs of Parliament post October 26, and not without justification. They claim that the Speaker's whole attitude was partisan and he was bent on protecting the interests of the political party he belonged to. True, his conduct has raised many an eyebrow particularly in the way in which he bulldozed through the vote called by the Opposition to demonstrate its majority in Parliament.</p>
<p>Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena declared that the vote taking was invalid since it was done after he had moved for the adjournment of the House and when the Mace, which symbolizes the official conduct of Parliament business, was not in its due place. There were also allegations that he acted unconstitutionally in the whole affair of calling for a No-Confidence vote against the Prime Minister by suspending Standing Orders.</p>
<p>As the custodian of the rights and privileges of all 225 members of Parliament the Speaker is bound to act evenhandedly to ensure that no party or individual is placed at a disadvantage. No doubt Speaker Jayasuriya is functioning under tremendous pressure from all sides, reminiscent of the former Speaker M. H. Mohamed, during the Premadasa impeachment drama. The late Speaker was the target of a mighty fusillade of the then Opposition when it was alleged he conspired to thwart the impeachment motion and his propriety called into question.</p>
<p>The antidote for all this unpleasantness no doubt will be to go before the people for a clear verdict. This will resolve the current impasse and put the country back on the rails. Continuation of the present political drama, no doubt, will also have dire consequences on the socio-economic landscape.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-16T01:00:00+05:30">Friday, November 16, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_3">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F16%2Feditorial%2F168652%2Felections-answer&amp;title=Elections%20the%20answer"></a>
</span>
Thu, 15 Nov 2018 13:16:04 +0000malinga168652 at http://www.dailynews.lkAn independent Judiciary http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/15/editorial/168532/independent-judiciary
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/14/EditorialTAG.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/14/EditorialTAG.jpg" title="An independent Judiciary " class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/14/EditorialTAG.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Yesterday’s verdict of the country’s Apex Court that went against the Government, as things stand for the moment, is a clear demonstration of the independence of the Judiciary post January 2015. For this, all independent minded citizens, no doubt, would salute President Maithripala Sirisena. He never sought to interfere in the affairs of the judiciary since his election as President, not even when his own tenure was circumscribed by a Supreme Court ruling which held that his term will be confined to five years under the 19th Amendment and not six as was originally thought.</p>
<p>Legal analysts expressing their opinion, as reported in our front page yesterday, was emphatic that the President never influenced the work of the judiciary in anyway after he came to power in January 2015. They all appreciated the President’s stance of non- interference in the affairs of the judiciary regarding a decision that he has made. The President’s upholding of the supremacy of the people should be admired by all, they say.</p>
<p>There was not even a whiff of scandal so far during his tenure where the rulings of the Supreme Court have been called into question. Even the Bar Association of Sri Lanka which normally is at loggerheads with the incumbent Head of State over alleged interference in the affairs of the Judiciary has had no issue with President Sirisena in this regard. On the contrary, relations between all arms of the judiciary and the President have never been so good. No judge has been accused of belonging to any one of the political camps as in the past.</p>
<p>In fact, even the appointments to the Supreme Court were done by the President in terms of seniority. He did not consider factors such as political affiliation and ethnicity in this process. There was not even a hint of threat or intimidation directed at members of the Judiciary even when the rulings in certain cases- particularly those referred to the Supreme Court for determination by Parliament- were not favourable to the Government.</p>
<p>This was a far cry from the days when the homes of Supreme Court Judges were stoned by goons unleashed by the UNP Government for delivering an unfavourable verdict. Not only that, there were instances when Judges were summoned before the country’s leaders for ‘briefings’ on the way certain judgments have to be delivered. One Chief Justice, a handpicked appointee of JRJ, who, nevertheless acted independently, stepped down on his own accord before being summoned before Parliament for an inquisition.</p>
<p>As one of the three pillars upholding the people’s sovereignty- the others being the Executive and the Legislature- it goes without saying that the Judiciary is an organ that has to function independently and any leader seeking to trifle with this independence will only take the country downhill. Judges are a special breed and should be treated as such. On no account should the Executive is seen to be at odds with the judiciary.</p>
<p>Equally the judiciary should not appear to be doing the bidding of the State. Rightly or wrongly this has been the ingrained impression among the public at large beginning from around the 1970s when Felix Dias Bandaranaike who it was said made it a habit to be present in courts when important judgements involving the State were delivered. Many Governments that followed tried to intimidate the Judiciary when it sought to act independently. While some judges succumbed there were others who stood their ground and refused to be intimidated even though this harmed their prospects of promotion to the next tier.</p>
<p>Such a state of affairs would not only lead to a breakdown of confidence in the whole justice system but also belittle the crucial role of the Judiciary. Therefore, it is important that members of the Judiciary assert themselves and play the role the public expect of them. Thankfully, President Sirisena has prepared the necessary climate for this by his non-interference in the judicial process.</p>
<p>Equally the members of the Judiciary should also conduct themselves as befitting the exalted status attached to them. We have seen in the past how some of our judges have compromised themselves by the lure of various carrots dangled before them. We are not saying that their successors to the Bench were influenced by similar prospects awaiting them and delivered judgements in favour of the State. But it is important that they do not leave behind even a smidgen of suspicion as to their motives. This is more so because the Judiciary is the last bastion where those aggrieved by injustice by the State can turn to for justice.</p>
<p>It is hoped that Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling will serve as a calming effect on three weeks of political turmoil that brought the State to a standstill and had a numbing effect on the populace. The warring factions should end the stalemate and set the wheels of State back in motion. Leaders of all political parties should act responsibly and restore order out of the present chaos. The people expect nothing less from their representatives in Parliament.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-15T01:00:00+05:30">Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_4">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F15%2Feditorial%2F168532%2Findependent-judiciary&amp;title=An%20independent%20Judiciary%20"></a>
</span>
Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:01:37 +0000malinga168532 at http://www.dailynews.lkA welcome directivehttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/14/editorial/168392/welcome-directive
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/13/Tag-Editorial.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/13/Tag-Editorial.jpg" title="A welcome directive" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/13/Tag-Editorial.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>President Maithripala Sirisena, no doubt, will receive the ringing endorsement of all civic -minded members of the public for his attempts to have clean elections. It is the usual practice for the ruling party to have all the cards stacked in its favour at elections, chiefly the ability to dish out largesse to the voters. There is also the abuse of public property such as the free use of Government vehicles that include chopper rides for campaigning. It is reported that foreign leaders including the US President Donald Trump have to pay the State for travel arrangements to political meetings.</p>
<p>President Sirisena has issued strict orders to all former MPs against misusing public property during the election period, on pain of legal action. At the time of writing, the Supreme Court verdict on the legality or otherwise of the dissolution of the Parliament by the President was still pending. But from all indications, political parties are gearing up for elections. Even the UNP, which had petitioned the Court, was in election mode with several of its spokesmen talking in terms of making Sajith Premadasa the Prime Ministerial candidate while proposals have also been made by the party to form a grand alliance to contest the election. Elections Commissions Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya is busy with the preliminaries to hold an election, the Supreme Court hearing notwithstanding.</p>
<p>It is in this backdrop that the President's orders assume significance. He has asked all former MPs, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers to return their vehicles and public property to the relevant Ministry Secretaries to avoid having legal action taken against them under Election laws. He reiterated that strict action would be taken against any member of the Government who misuses public property for election purposes. In his address to the nation on Sunday night, the President stated he would extend all support to the Elections Commission to ensure a free and fair election.</p>
<p>President Sirisena is perhaps the first Head of State to take affirmative action to ensure that a free and fair election is being held. All past leaders only paid lip service in this respect and their guarantees in this respect lacked conviction. Public property was abused to the hilt by the ruling party politicians with nary a care that they were doing so at the expense of the public purse. This is why the President reminded all that it was illegal to use Government property for election purposes. He also said that only the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet members would function in the Caretaker Government.</p>
<p>It has to be said that all parties, while in power, were guilty of election law violations, not just with public property but also other acts such as giving incentives to voters. There were instances galore where polling stations were stormed by goons and ballot boxes stuffed. The Wayamba Provincial Council election was a watershed where election law violations reached a new low.</p>
<p>President Sirisena also said he would be forced to take legal action against former MPs misusing Government vehicles and other public property during the election period. He would receive further public praise if he gave specific instructions to the law enforcement to bring to book any trouble makers, during the run up to the election and on polling day. We say this because the police generally tend to handle ruling party politicians and their supporters with kid gloves, not only during election times but on other occasions as well, as is only too well known.</p>
<p>The President's attitude is a clear indication that he is committed to ending this trend and holding a free and fair election. Hence, the instructions should not only be confined to dealing with those who abuse public property but also extend to general law and order during the polls campaign period.</p>
<p>During the last Presidential Election the then Elections Commissioner (now Elections Commission Chairman) acted commendably and received all round praise for his intrepidity for taking on the full might of the Government. He also received plaudits for overseeing the February 10 Local Government election without incident. The fact that a relatively new party won that election while the established parties took a beating shows how free and fair the poll was.</p>
<p>There is no reason to believe he will act any different this time around. It is time that the country adopts a new political culture where the people are free to exercise their franchise without any intimidation. All party leaders must rein in their more adventuress supporters. True, there could be clashes between rivals in a heated election campaign and certain incidents are unavoidable. But these should not be allowed to escalate and mar the entire electoral process.</p>
<p>There is also the need to nominate educated and honest candidates as we have been repeatedly advocating in these spaces. All political parties have an opportunity to do this at the election. This country could certainly do well by bringing into the electoral process the erudite, the professionals and scholars whose contributions will be invaluable for us as a nation.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-14T01:00:00+05:30">Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_5">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F14%2Feditorial%2F168392%2Fwelcome-directive&amp;title=A%20welcome%20directive"></a>
</span>
Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:45:55 +0000malinga168392 at http://www.dailynews.lkPresident’s reasons validhttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/13/editorial/168296/president%E2%80%99s-reasons-valid
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/12/Tag-Editorial.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/12/Tag-Editorial.jpg" title="President’s reasons valid" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/12/Tag-Editorial.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As our front page main story yesterday aptly put it, President Maithripala Sirisena has set the record straight on the circumstances that compelled him to dissolve Parliament. They, no doubt, all cumulatively had a profound effect which finally forced the hand of the President. Issuing a special statement detailing the reasons as to why he took the decision President Sirisena maintained that all democratic norms were being flouted and revealed how MPs were being traded for sums ranging from Rs.150 million to as much as Rs.500 million. The President said it was really a regrettable situation where a representative elected by the voters had to be traded in this manner.</p>
<p>The buying of MPs was not a recent phenomenon but had been practiced from as far back as 1964. On that occasion the UNP managed to contrive a mass exodus from the then Government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike that led to that Government being defeated on the Throne Speech. Rumours were rife that a well known power-broker at the time engineered the defections by throwing money bags, when the Government was set to take over the Lake House Group of Newspapers through the Press Council Bill, the individual in question having a major stake in the concern. Years later, in 2000, there was yet another instance of mass buying of MPs at the height of the “Package” affair where CBK sought to divide the country into a Union of Regions. On that occasion, both sides went on a ‘buying spree’, with the UNP even sending some of its MPs abroad to keep them out of temptation’s way.</p>
<p>The President gave as another reason (for the termination of Parliament) the intransigence of former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in failing to abide by the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders and arrogating to himself powers that were not his to claim. The President said; “I am very disappointed by his (former Speaker’s) actions. It is the Parliamentary tradition to have the Speaker act impartially and independent of party politics. However Jayasuriya chose to disregard Parliamentary Standing Orders, procedures and norms and not accept the Prime Minister appointed by the Executive, releasing statements to that effect, which left me no choice but to dissolve Parliament”.</p>
<p>But what would, no doubt, have been the most compelling reason that eventually forced the hand of the President was the very real possibility of bloodletting in the August Assembly when it convened on November 14. Like the President noted, grim forebodings were in the air and the possibility of bloodshed on the floor of the House could not have been ruled out. The President himself alluded to this when he said;”through various media briefings, both sides stressed that there could be a violent situation when Parliament reconvened on Nobember14, even resulting in the death of some. If I had allowed that when Parliament met on November 14, it would not only have been bloodshed in Parliament but was likely to have spread to your towns, villages and every street in the country.”</p>
<p>The President opined that he opted for the best solution, that of not permitting violence to take place on a large scale across the country but to respect democracy and let the 15 million voters decide who should be sent to Parliament.</p>
<p>No right thinking citizen of this country could find fault with the President’s reasoning and the eventual decision. Had some untoward incident occurred at a time emotions were running high in the midst of a highly charged political atmosphere, there is no knowing as to where things would have ended up. We say this because unlike in the times of the immediate post Independence Parliaments where politicians with staid deportment, stature and standing adorned the Assembly what we have today is a House which is in constant turmoil with violent behaviour and fisticuffs being commonplace. This is because on both sides there are those who were nominated for their muscle power where the brawn prevails over brain with no room for dignity and decorum, two terms widely used to underline Parliamentary sanctity.</p>
<p>President Sirisena, no doubt, is well aware of the state of play and was obviously leaving nothing to chance. With the former Speaker expressing his intention to go for a floor test at the very outset of sittings, this was bound to have resulted in unprecedented violence going by what we have already seen at lesser volatile situations in the House. Besides, the President had acted well within the Constitution as attested by independent legal opinion.</p>
<p>Which leaves us with the next question as to which criteria will be adopted when picking candidates for the General Election by all parties. There have been a clamour from several quarters, nay an outcry, that professionals and the educated be liberally included in the lists for the greater benefit of the country. We hope that this will be a golden opportunity to change the present political culture where misfits and undesirables prevail. We need true, honest and hardworking servants of the people in the House from all shades of political opinion. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-13T01:00:00+05:30">Tuesday, November 13, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_6">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F13%2Feditorial%2F168296%2Fpresident%25E2%2580%2599s-reasons-valid&amp;title=President%E2%80%99s%20reasons%20valid"></a>
</span>
Mon, 12 Nov 2018 13:59:48 +0000pushpika168296 at http://www.dailynews.lkTowards a peaceful pollhttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/12/editorial/168146/towards-peaceful-poll
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/11/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/11/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="Towards a peaceful poll" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/11/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Now that the long drawn out sense of suspense over the fate of Parliament has abated, the House dissolved and the date of elections announced it behoves on all parties in the present drama to act with responsibility until polling day and also thereafter. Needless to say, the political imbroglio had caused a paralysis of the nation with little or no work done in State institutions and Government offices, what with top officials waiting with bated breath for the final outcome. The stalemate also, no doubt, would have frightened away would be investors since no foreign entrepreneur would want to invest in a country going through a volatile political transition.</p>
<p>Hence, the Government should act fast in calming fears while clearing all hurdles that stand in the way of the economy moving forward. Above all, order should be restored in all spheres of activity in the administration so that the Government machinery would function smoothly. In this respect President Maithripala Sirisena did right when he told Government Officials at a meeting in Polonnaruwa last week to execute their duties and functions without being distracted by the current developments. He also told the SLFP/SLPP affiliated trade union representatives to desist from any unruly behaviour and misconduct in their places of work.</p>
<p>Now that all the Ministers in the caretaker Government have been sworn in, no time should be lost in getting down to business since all activities in the ministries, no doubt, would have ceased to function with the previous incumbents having to vacate their posts. Since all Government ministers represent a single political entity there is bound to be consensus and agreement on all the decisions taken, unlike in the past where the two sides were at variance on policy matters.</p>
<p>The President, no doubt, would now be at ease that his orders and decisions to ministers for the benefit of the people will not be countermanded as in the past. This resulted in the people turning against the Yahapalanaya Government as shown by the February 10 LG poll results. President Sirisena should also lose no time in getting all stalled work on the development front activated. Whatever positive work that was commenced by the previous Government should not be abandoned, wholesale, but an evaluation made and where necessary the work continued with.</p>
<p>Also the President, who is now in charge of law enforcement, should ensure that peace prevails in the days leading up the election. This is because this poll will be a heated affair, with both sides going all out to secure a majority in Parliament judging by the rhetoric since October 26. There is also the need to ensure the present political climate will not be used by unruly elements to break the law and engage in acts of destruction. We say this because there is no dearth of subjects in this country who seek to fish in troubled waters and wreak havoc.</p>
<p>The UNP which, no doubt, is still smarting from the double whammy of the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister and the dissolution of Parliament- should now stop complaining and get ready to face the hustings. After all, the 19th Amendment was the sole brainchild of the UNP and the President was kept out of the loop. If they (UNP) left any lacuna in it that gave the President a way out, then it has only itself to blame.</p>
<p>The President has acted well within the Constitution in replacing Wickremesinghe and terminating Parliament. Independent legal experts have confirmed this fact. The 19th Amendment is clear on the course of action the Executive could take in the event of a constitutional gridlock. It is pointless for the UNP to cry foul now.</p>
<p>The Greens are set to challenge the President’s action in the Supreme Court. We are not speculating on the outcome, but should the ruling go against the UNP its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should gracefully accept it and vacate Temple Trees. The official residence that was graced by leaders such as D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kothalawela, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike et al. has been desecrated enough by the riffraff who had lain siege on it since October 26.</p>
<p>Wickremesinghe, who is spoken of as a gentlemanly politician even by his opponents, should not allow this honourific sullied by permitting this rather childish drama. He is not only doing a disservice to himself but also bringing the country to ridicule in the eyes of the international community by his conduct. Here is a four time Prime Minister of Sri Lanka refusing to budge from his official residence after being constitutionally deposed. Can anything be more bizarre?</p>
<p>Elections have been called and Wickremesinghe has the opportunity to return to Temple Trees, if that indeed is the people’s wish and also if he indeed will be the choice of the party to lead it. If so, he would rather be best advised to get started on his election campaign right away, since he has a lot of catching up to do. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-12T01:00:00+05:30">Monday, November 12, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_7">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F12%2Feditorial%2F168146%2Ftowards-peaceful-poll&amp;title=Towards%20a%20peaceful%20poll"></a>
</span>
Sun, 11 Nov 2018 12:37:46 +0000pushpika168146 at http://www.dailynews.lkA new dawn for North and Easthttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/10/editorial/168057/new-dawn-north-and-east
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/09/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/09/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="A new dawn for North and East" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/09/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>While the protracted conflict affected people in all parts of Sri Lanka, it was the North and the East that suffered the most. This was more or less the theatre of war for 30 long years, until the war ended in May 2009. The North and the East remain among the least developed regions in the country, though vast strides have been taken in the last 10 years in terms of social welfare and infrastructure development.</p>
<p>President Maithripala Sirisena, himself hailing from the North Central Province where some of the villages came under frequent attack by the LTTE, understands this situation rather well. Hence his decision to appoint a Presidential Task Force with the objective of expediting development activities which were deterred by the protracted conflict in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in order to uplift the living standards of the people in these two provinces.</p>
<p>With the latest political developments, the President will have the fullest support for his mission from the leader credited with ending the conflict – none other than Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who as President initiated many development programmes in both provinces after 2009 including the reconstruction of the Northern Railway line and the road network. It is also heartening to note that the TNA has pledged its fullest support to these endeavours despite certain policy differences.</p>
<p>Appointing a Task Force is certainly not the end of the matter. As an astute leader, the President knows all too well that constant monitoring is essential to get the work done. This is why he regularly meets the multitude of task forces which have been assigned different tasks. It is in this vein that he met the Presidential Task Force on Northern and Eastern Province Development this week to review its accomplishments during the last two months. This Special Presidential Task Force will look into the development activities now in progress in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and plan new projects to be implemented in these two provinces.</p>
<p>Lauding the work done so far, the President invited all parties to join hands with the Task Force to continue its programmes. The President said he is determined to fast track this programme in these two provinces and all parties should carry out their responsibilities by joining this programme.</p>
<p>As the President clarified, the authorities have eschewed the usual top-down approach to development (where decisions are made in AC rooms in Colombo sans people’s participation) in this instance. Instead, the planners are listening to the people and getting an idea of what their priorities are. Thus all new projects in the two provinces are being implemented based on priorities and feedback of the people living in these two provinces. For example, special focus was laid upon the provision of potable water to the people in the two drought-hit provinces.</p>
<p>While infrastructure development in the two provinces is vital and must go ahead at a faster pace, it is even more important to address the psychological wounds of war. To its credit, the Government has rehabilitated nearly 11,000 former LTTE cadres who are now engaged in vocations that benefit the society. De-mining is mostly complete and many families have since resettled in their own lands. Many of them have gone back to their previous livelihoods such as fishing and agriculture.</p>
<p>It was also revealed at the Task Force that the releasing of the lands occupied by the Security Forces in the North and East is in its final stage. They have reviewed the progress of the programme of releasing these lands by end of December 31 as directed by President Maithripala Sirisena. It was disclosed that 79 per cent of government lands occupied by the Security Forces have been released to the relevant state agencies while 90.2 per cent of private lands held by the Security Forces in these two provinces have been released. These released lands included areas of religious, economical and educational importance in these two provinces. This is a noteworthy achievement and we hope that the release of the remaining lands will be expedited in line with the President’s directive.</p>
<p>The Task Force has also discussed widening the scope of opportunities available to local and foreign investors in the two provinces. Now that the two provinces’ infrastructure facilities are almost on par with the other provinces, more investors can be directed to the region to set up their ventures. The Government should also encourage the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME) in the two provinces.</p>
<p>Despite the advent of peace, many foreign tourists are still somewhat reluctant to visit the North, though the East is doing rather well from a tourism perspective with destinations such as Trincomalee and Arugam Bay. The Government’s new tourism promotion campaigns should focus more on the North to get more tourists to visit the area.</p>
<p>The North and the East have the potential to make a major contribution to the country’s economy. The people in both provinces are resilient and determined to make up for lost time. The authorities should lose no time in granting their fervent wish.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-10T01:00:00+05:30">Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_8">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F10%2Feditorial%2F168057%2Fnew-dawn-north-and-east&amp;title=A%20new%20dawn%20for%20North%20and%20East"></a>
</span>
Fri, 09 Nov 2018 13:27:45 +0000malinga168057 at http://www.dailynews.lkNew dimensions of diplomacy http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/09/editorial/167971/new-dimensions-diplomacy
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/08/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/08/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="New dimensions of diplomacy " class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/08/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We live in a globalised world and no country can live in isolation. Thus a strong and coherent foreign policy is a must for any country. Sri Lanka has generally followed a policy of Non-Alignment, that is, not leaning towards any particular superpower or bloc.</p>
<p>Like everything else, the world’s political climate is also changing. External relations are becoming complex by the day as some countries are trying to move away from the established international order. Foreign policy itself cannot remain stagnant – it has to respond to evolving challenges and move beyond the usual boundaries of diplomacy. Today, diplomacy is not simply about having political relations and an embassy in another country – it encompasses diverse subjects such as trade, tourism, foreign employment, exports and even cultural-religious links.</p>
<p>This was the rationale behind the new Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama’s firm assurance that he will get all Sri Lankan missions overseas to promote investments in tourism, foreign employment, tea and rubber exports and other FDIs. “Sri Lanka’s Ambassadors and High Commissioners will have additional responsibilities from now onwards without merely performing protocol obligations,” he told the Daily News on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry suffered under the previous Government as there were frequent changes of the Ministers and also diplomatic personnel. This paved the way for a chaotic foreign policy as each of the ministers tried to put their stamp on the country’s foreign policy. This was somewhat exasperating to our friends and allies in the International Community. This also meant that there was no attempt to develop a coherent foreign policy during the last three years.</p>
<p>Dr. Amunugama, a senior civil servant turned politician who is well versed in diplomacy having held relevant portfolios under many Governments, has realised the need to reorient the Foreign Ministry to reflect the needs of the times. As he says, our diplomatic personnel must be pro-active and seek avenues other than normal bilateral relations to get closer to their host country. Hence Minister Amunugama’s plan to reorient the Foreign Ministry to focus on revenue earning areas such as tourism and exports.</p>
<p>For example, we rely far too much on a few inbound tourism markets such as India and Western Europe without thinking of expanding into Eastern Europe, Americas and Africa. Our diplomats in those regions must play a major role in spreading the word on Lanka’s tourist attractions, which recently received a boost from Lonely Planet as its top destination for 2019.</p>
<p>The Minister has also rightly pointed out to certain foreign governments that there was no need to issue adverse travel advisories warning against travel to and in Sri Lanka as normality prevails around the island despite the recent political developments. However, it was disheartening to hear certain politicians attached to the previous Government using the word “bloodbath” rather casually when referring to the political change, which could drive fear into the minds of foreign tourists.</p>
<p>It was a callous remark that may score points politically among party supporters, but could have very negative consequences for the country. Some cancellations have already been reported from several inbound markets. Therefore politicians on all sides must always have the country’s interests at heart when they comment on the present situation as everything is now picked up and amplified by traditional and social media.</p>
<p>The new Foreign Minister has also firmly assured that there was no change in the context of foreign aid and foreign loans along with bilateral and multilateral business which were Government to Government transactions and not ones which were given to individuals or separate political parties. This will of course be bad news for certain UNP politicians who were hoping that other countries will cut off or reduce aid to Sri Lanka in the wake of recent political developments. However, aid and loan programmes do not work in that manner.</p>
<p>This is also an indirect assurance that a number of development projects which were dependent on foreign assistance, including the seven-line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project would go ahead as planned, despite contrary opinions expressed by several former ministers including Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was in charge of the Megapolis Ministry. The fact that the new Government has also appointed a Megapolis Minister also indicates that these projects will go ahead without any interruption. This was the correct call to make as domestic political issues must not be allowed to impede development. In any case, most of these projects have been in the planning stage for 10-15 years, through several changes of Government and there is a broad bipartisan consensus that they should go ahead.</p>
<p>Our Foreign Service needs a complete overhaul in terms of professionalism and Dr. Amunugama fits the bill perfectly. A professional to his fingertips, he will no doubt make sure that we send top notch, dynamic personnel to foreign capitals. There is nothing wrong in appointing eminent personalities from outside the Foreign Service as envoys, but they as well as the career diplomats should be up to the task of going beyond the usual confines to embrace the new dimensions of global diplomacy.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-09T01:00:00+05:30">Friday, November 9, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_9">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F09%2Feditorial%2F167971%2Fnew-dimensions-diplomacy&amp;title=New%20dimensions%20of%20diplomacy%20"></a>
</span>
Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:10:24 +0000malinga167971 at http://www.dailynews.lkA true friend of Sri Lanka http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/08/editorial/167844/true-friend-sri-lanka
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/07/EditorialTAG.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/07/EditorialTAG.jpg" title="A true friend of Sri Lanka " class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/07/EditorialTAG.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Lord Naseby Michael Morris or Lord Naseby, as he is known in Sri Lanka, a longstanding friend of this country, both in fair and foul weather, has once again spoken out in Sri Lanka’s interest. In the wake of the current political developments and President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to appoint as the new Prime Minister former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Lord Naseby has gone to great lengths to defend Sri Lanka against the voices in his country critical of the move.</p>
<p>He has urged the British Government not to be hasty in condemning the President’s decision which was purely an internal matter in the domestic political scene. This was after some members of the House of Commons from the Conservative Party took up the issue of Sri Lanka during its regular sessions and described the President’s move as unconstitutional. He (Lord Naseby) airing his views by a Tweet was of the opinion that it was not for foreigners to interpret the Sri Lankan Constitution and that he was certain that President Maithripala Sirisena, as the President, acted in the best interest of the country.</p>
<p>“As far as I can see, nothing unconstitutional has happened. It is unusual, yes but we have had unusual things in the UK. We were supposed to have a five year fixed term, but it was cut short,” he tweeted. He also condemned the action of a junior Member of UK Parliament, Hugo Swire for raising the issue of Sri Lanka in the UK Parliament. “It is not up to a foreigner to decide whether it is constitutional or not. I am unhappy that a British junior minister stated it was unconstitutional. That is not the role of UK Parliamentarians,” he asserted.</p>
<p>Hopefully, Lord Naseby’s position with the regard to the political developments in Sri Lanka would persuade the critics in the West to observe things in better perspective. We are a sovereign nation and this should be respected by those who are seeking to interfere in the country’s affairs.</p>
<p>Obviously, Lord Naseby has not lent his opinion on the Sri Lankan issue at random but after closely studying the developments and also taking into consideration expert opinion given in this regard. As a close Sri Lanka watcher he, no doubt, would be receiving his own inputs and has aired his views weighing all the pros and cons. That he has been continually keeping his pulse on the happenings in Sri Lanka was amply explained from the manner in which he debunked the charges in the Darusman report that claimed that as much as 40,000 civilians could have been killed in the war by the Forces.</p>
<p>Lord Naseby’s stand on Sri Lanka should be viewed in the context where the country has always been a target of the West. The West has always made it its business to harangue this country on alleged human rights violations, practices of good government and now, if some British MPs’ conduct is anything to go by, the constitutionality or otherwise of the appointment of the new Prime Minister. It is a matter for regret that none of our envoys in the Western countries has been up to the task of setting the record straight and giving the true picture to the outside world. This was clearly seen during the war years where they signally failed to defend the country against blatantly false allegations spread by the LTTE.</p>
<p>It was left to a British national in the form of Lord Naseby to perform the task of our paid diplomats to wash off the black stains attached to this country. It appears that presently too this task has been undertaken by him, at least in his own backyard. For that all Sri Lankans, irrespective of political affiliations, should be grateful to Lord Naseby for, as a British subject, he is fighting for the cause of Sri Lanka in his own country.</p>
<p>Like he opined, it is not for Britain or British MPs to dwell on the Sri Lankan Constitution unless our former colonial masters still harbour the belief that the Sun has not set on the Empire. This is not the first occasion that foreign interference in Sri Lanka’s domestic politics had been witnessed. There was the famous Gladstone incident in the early nineties. David Gladstone, Britain’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka went to extent of entering a polling booth while the Local Government election was in progress apparently to elicit proof that the election was being rigged by which he hoped to portray to the world that democracy was being undermined in this country. Quite rightly he was shown the door by President R. Premadasa.</p>
<p>Of course the British MPs’ attacks in the House of Commons are certain to be sweet music in the ears of the UNP leader whose pro-Western stance is only all too well known. Lord Naseby would certainly not win a popularity contest with the Greens who are now hell bent on enlisting the support of all Western Governments to bail out their beleaguered leader.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-08T01:00:00+05:30">Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_10">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F08%2Feditorial%2F167844%2Ftrue-friend-sri-lanka&amp;title=A%20true%20friend%20of%20Sri%20Lanka%20"></a>
</span>
Wed, 07 Nov 2018 12:51:18 +0000malinga167844 at http://www.dailynews.lkUNP's missed opportunityhttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/07/editorial/167729/unps-missed-opportunity
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/06/Tag-Editorial.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/06/Tag-Editorial.jpg" title="UNP&#039;s missed opportunity" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/06/Tag-Editorial.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>UNPers who voted to elect Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena on January 8, 2015 were by no means betrayed by him, going by the disclosure made by the President at the rally tiled Ratama Rakina Jana Mahimaya held at the Parliament roundabout on Monday.</p>
<p>The common thread that marks the comments made by the UNP spokesmen, post October 26, is to the effect that President Sirisena had backstabbed not only their leader Ranil Wickremesinghe through his ouster but also all UNP voters who braved grave odds to elect the former as President. They also charge the President for acting unconstitutionally in this regard and also kicking away the mandate granted to him. The President is also accused by the UNP of making its supporters orphaned by joining hands with his onetime arch rival.</p>
<p>However, it is now clear that the President had never intended to shortchange the UNP voters who comprised the bulk of the 6.2 million votes received by him on January 8. Not by a long way. On the contrary he came close to realizing the aspirations of the vast majority of party supporters as the readers could gather while going through this piece.</p>
<p>Addressing the mammoth crowd, the President explained the course he adopted to replace Wickremesinghe with an alternative from among the UNP itself. This is because the conduct and the path taken by the former Prime Minister was to the detriment of the country and its traditional values, not to mention the economic ruin wrought, he explained.</p>
<p>He (President) named two alternatives who would have been acceptable not only to the UNP but the vast populace, across party lines - one of them being Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and the other, former minister Sajith Premadasa. Jayasuriya, no doubt, had all the credentials for the post, being of impressive stature, sober bearing, rooted in the nation's cultural ethos and a true Buddhist, while Premadasa Jnr. would have been no less acceptable to UNPers- nay their favourite choice for long as party leader, for, like his late father, he is close to the common man and devoid of the elitist patina of his leader.</p>
<p>However, according to the President, both declined the offer, obviously not wanting to rub their leader on the wrong side. Hence, the decision he took to offer former President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Premiership.</p>
<p>President Sirisena said he met the Speaker eight months ago and insisted that he take over the Premiership. “I pleaded with him (Jayasuriya) for several days to become the PM because I could no longer work with Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. But he declined to accept the post citing his inability to pose a challenge to Wickremesinghe”. Ditto for Sajith Premadasa.</p>
<p>The President said the sacking of Wickremesinghe represented not only a change in personalities but also a political programme that was alien to the national way of thinking, cut off from the country's cultural ethos, and geared to serve the interests of external forces.</p>
<p>The new appointee, according to the President, was an individual who was attuned to the value system. It is clear, therefore, that President Sirisena, far from being ungrateful to the UNP voters, sought to appoint two individuals who in fact would have greatly enhanced the prospects of the UNP at future elections. In others words the President was doing a service to the UNP wittingly or unwittingly.</p>
<p>Karu Jayasuriya may, or may not be, a spent force politically. But not so Sajith. With every election defeat suffered by the Grand Old Party the outcry among the party grassroots was for the appointment of Premadasa as the party leader. This call has not diminished today amidst the bitter reversal suffered by Wickremesinghe, whom his loyalists in the party had sought to portray as a victim of a conspiracy. This was clearly evident when the UNP was organising its protest rally in Kollupitiya following Wickremesinghe's ouster, a party Local Government member from Dambulla declared they were coming that day to install Sajith as party leader and not to support Ranil.</p>
<p>He was only echoing the sentiments of the bulk, if not all, grassroots party supporters. He, like others of his ilk among the Greens, may have been thoroughly disappointed by this missed opportunity and may be inwardly cursing Sajith for letting them down badly, by not accepting the President's offer.</p>
<p>Besides, President Sirisena has never failed to acknowledge the leading role the UNP played in his election to office. Symbolizing this, he even visited UNP Headquarters, Sirikotha, for its annual convention - a first by a rival political leader. In his address to the nation following the advent of the new Government President Sirisena was magnanimous in appreciating the support he received from UNP voters in his election and appealed to the Greens to join him in the task of nation building.</p>
<p>This extension of the hand of friendship indicates that the President still needs their support. Hence, it would be better for all if this political gridlock is resolved soon and the country put on the fast track to development.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-07T01:00:00+05:30">Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_11">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F07%2Feditorial%2F167729%2Funps-missed-opportunity&amp;title=UNP%27s%20missed%20opportunity"></a>
</span>
Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:11:44 +0000malinga167729 at http://www.dailynews.lkIndia’s assurancehttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/06/editorial/167586/india%E2%80%99s-assurance
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/05/Tag-Editorial.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/05/Tag-Editorial.jpg" title="India’s assurance" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/05/Tag-Editorial.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>India has put to rest any misgivings regarding the new political developments in Sri Lanka. Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told journalists in New Delhi that India was not promoting any particular person and that it is for the people of Sri Lanka to decide on whether the Prime Minister would be former President Mahinda Rajapaksa or former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. He also rejected allegations that India was tampering with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. Official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India will continue to extend its developmental assistance to Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>This is as it should be. Indo-Sri Lanka relations have always been on a high plane and constraint free, except for a few blemishes. As Non-aligned neighbours, both countries had been maintaining excellent relations. It would not be out of place to mention here that this friendly relationship was always at its peak during the times of the Bandaranaikes who strictly adhered to the Non-aligned policy. That was the time of the Cold War when countries were identified by their alliance with the two major powers the US and the Soviet Union. India, though, Non-aligned was firmly with the Soviet bloc and Lanka too with its socialist policies at the time was largely seen as tilting towards same. Thus, both India and Sri Lanka were on the same wavelength as regards their foreign policies and also their socialist domestic economic policies.</p>
<p>Relations started to deteriorate with the advent of the pro-west UNP Government in 1977. JRJ not only changed the socialist economic order but looked to America for economic assistance and got too close to Uncle Sam for India’s comfort. With the nascent separatist movement in the North gradually gaining momentum India’s direct involvement in the affairs Sri Lanka became known. With the election of Indira Gandhi back into office and the Eelam war commencing in earnest, the stage was set for India’s aggressive intervention. Relations had deteriorated further by the time Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister which saw India violating the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka via the infamous parippu drop.</p>
<p>Things have come a long way since then. The killing of Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE was a turning point as Indian authorities and public opinion turned against the group. The Cold War has long ended and with the realignment of the once divided camps Indo-Sri Lanka ties have, no doubt, assumed new dimensions. Both countries now vigorously pursue the market economy and have also shed socialist ideologies. Hence, India and Sri Lanka today have found common ground on many things and the friendship is on a firm footing.</p>
<p>The assurance given by India that it would strictly play a neutral role in the unfolding political drama in Sri Lanka, therefore, cannot be doubted. India has demonstrated her genuineness by coming to our assistance time and again. Its support went a long way in helping us defeat terrorism. It has been one of our largest trade partners and assisted the country economically, with major investments.</p>
<p>Besides, there is the common thread binding the two countries since the time we were bestowed of the greatest gift of all from India- Buddhism. Cultural ties between the two countries date back eons. Hence it is time that Sri Lankan politicians from all hues stop entertaining any misconceptions about the motives of Big Brother vis-a-vis Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>Both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have cultivated a solid friendship with PM Narendra Modi. It was only two months ago that Prime Minister Rajapaksa met the Indian Premier and vowed to further expand the existing good relations between both countries. PM Modi too extended his goodwill towards President Sirisena during the discussions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanaratane Thera has appealed to all to oppose any move by the international community to impose sanctions on Sri Lanka. He particularly urged the UNP to resist such a move, when some of its Parliamentarians called on the Chief Prelate on Sunday. “It is important for all parties, including the UNP, to oppose any such move to impose sanctions”, the Mahanayake Thera said. Lekadhikari of the Asgiriya Chapter the Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that if there is international pressure, both parties should join hands to face it.</p>
<p>The Mahanayake’s advice to the UNP MPs, no doubt, stems from the propensity of the Greens to wish dire consequences on the country when they lose the reins of power. This was seen in the manner in which the party called for international sanctions on the country after CBK took away some vital Ministries from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government in 2003. Then too, there were cries for economic sanctions and even invasions. Sanctions, if imposed, would affect all the people, not just those belonging to one political party. It will also cause dire consequences to the economy. Should this be prolonged, whoever wins the Presidency in 2020 will also have to inherit the legacy. Hence, the UNP, which has governed this country at different times ought to act with a sense of responsibility at this juncture. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-06T01:00:00+05:30">Tuesday, November 6, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_12">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F06%2Feditorial%2F167586%2Findia%25E2%2580%2599s-assurance&amp;title=India%E2%80%99s%20assurance"></a>
</span>
Mon, 05 Nov 2018 12:21:46 +0000pushpika167586 at http://www.dailynews.lkSound advicehttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/05/editorial/167504/sound-advice
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/04/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/04/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="Sound advice" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/04/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>President Maithripala Sirisena did the right thing by advising all state officials to carry out their duties in the normal fashion without giving thought to the political developments in the country. Earlier the President also met with Trade Unions leaders affiliated to the SLFP/UPFA to prevail on them to maintain order in their institutions. This followed the disturbing incidents at certain state sector bodies following the change of Government. The President, apparently, is determined to ensure order at public institutions, without permitting unruly elements to cause trouble. He obviously wants to reverse the trend that had been existing in this country after every election.</p>
<p>Speaking to a group of public sector officers in Polonnaruwa over the weekend President Sirisena asked them to attend to their duties as usual and not to entertain any doubts as to the stability of the Government.</p>
<p>The President’s call to State sector officials is a timely one indeed. The political tsunami that hit the country last week had left many a citizen stunned. It certainly was no different with Government officials. The atmosphere brought about by the sudden change has had a paralytic effect on some of these officials. Needless to say, this would in turn lead to the malfunctioning of the State apparatus affecting the public. There is also bound to be a sense of uncertainty gripping the public sector as a result of the change. Political loyalties may also place these officials in separate camps leading to the neglect of their duties with some waiting for further developments. Hence, the assurance given by the President of the stability of the new regime is bound to have a salutary effect on these state officials to remove all doubts.</p>
<p>It is but an accepted fact that our public sector is highly politicized. As a result there may be foot dragging on the part of certain officials in the implementation of Government policy based on their political loyalties. This need not be the case since a public officer is duty bound to serve the Government in power whatever his political leanings and by extension the public.</p>
<p>Sadly in this country there are public officials who willingly engage in sabotage motivated by their political affiliations and it has become customary for ruling party politicians to accuse public officials of working towards undermining the Government. This we saw from a Finance Minister of the last regime who blamed certain officials of the Central Bank for conspiring to harm the economy due to their political connections.</p>
<p>True, there may be changes in the top positions in Government institutions following a change of Government. But second tier officers by and large will continue in their positions, their political sympathies notwithstanding. It is such officers who should strive to be neutral and render their services to the new Government in the normal manner.</p>
<p>President Sirisena is the first leader to meet state officials in this manner after a change of Government, to give them an assurance. Prior to this all Government institutions went into chaos after a regime change with no work getting done until the dust settled. Decision making is also deferred, the state of suspension impacting on the functions of vital sectors. The President who too began life as a public servant is only all too aware of this state of affairs. Hence, his advice to the officials to keep the wheels rolling without being distracted by the happenings on the political front.</p>
<p>In any event, political changes should not hamper the smooth operation of the administration. True, political cross currents in a country where the State sector is highly politicized is inevitable. However this in no way should be allowed to interfere in the functions of Government institutions. After all they are there to render a service to the general public. Hopefully the President had sent a clear message to the public officials in this regard.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the reduction of the prices of certain essential items by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, also the Finance Minister, no doubt would be welcomed by the public across the political divide. No sooner he was installed as the Prime Minister he ordered a slash in the price of dhal (by Rs.5), sugar (by Rs.10) and reduced the price of petrol by Rs. 10 and diesel by Rs.7. The Premier also reduced the telephone tax by 10 percent and more importantly completely did away with the withholding tax charged by commercial banks on the interests of deposits which was even levied on Death Donation Societies.</p>
<p>The question on everyone’s mind is why the previous regime could not do this. The message it received on February 10 ought to have opened its eyes to hardships that the ordinary people are undergoing due to the unbearable cost of living. Instead, it arrogantly chose to carry on in the same vein and put all eggs in the ‘debt repayment’ basket. The Premier, no doubt, would receive hearty cheers from the pensioners for keeping their bank interests intact. This should be a harbinger of more good things to come. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-05T01:00:00+05:30">Monday, November 5, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_13">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F05%2Feditorial%2F167504%2Fsound-advice&amp;title=Sound%20advice"></a>
</span>
Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:09:30 +0000pushpika167504 at http://www.dailynews.lkA timely measurehttp://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/03/editorial/167390/timely-measure
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/02/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/02/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="A timely measure" class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/02/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>President Maithripala Sirisena, in his address to the Nation this week whilst explaining the events that led to the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister, pointed out one glaring fact about the previous administration - its UNP-inspired economic policies and decisions had completely alienated the common man and trampled on their aspirations.</p>
<p>Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had a reputation for floating economic theories and visions which had no bearing whatsoever on the fortunes on the common man. He would talk at length about the economic climate in 2040, totally neglecting the socio-economic imperatives of the present. It was obvious that the President watched in frustration as the finance czars of the previous administration, who all belonged to the UNP, heaped tax upon tax on the common man – even on some essential goods.</p>
<p>It was inevitable that at some point the President would have had to intervene and he did, to save the economy and the people from an abysmal fate. In this light, the appointment of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister and Finance Minister was the only available alternative. Prime Minister Rajapaksa, who has a proven track record in taking the people’s side in the economic debate, pointed out the need to provide relief to the people at a discussion with university dons.</p>
<p>Barley hours later, in consultation with and under the guidance of President Sirisena, he announced a series of measures aimed at affording relief to the masses and rejuvenating the moribund economy. These contain both short term and long term measures that will enable the people to heave a sigh of relief and the economy to pick up pace. Given that no other economic factors have changed in the meantime, the announcement also exposed the UNP’s duplicity and deception – these are simple steps that they could have been taken for the sake of the people, but they did not.</p>
<p>The most welcoming part of the announcement concerns the reduction of fuel prices. The Rs.10 (per litre) reduction of Octane 92 petrol will benefit three wheeler owners and motorcyclists, who were sent reeling by the so-called “fuel price formula” of former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, on the 10th of every month. Likewise, the reduction of diesel by Rs.7 per litre will be a boon for goods and passenger transport operators. The cost of fruits and vegetables should come down as a result. We also expect the private bus owners to display the same keenness they had for upping the fares when the prices went up, to reduce the fares in the wake of the price reduction.</p>
<p>The reduction of Commodity Levies and taxes on several essential goods will also be welcomed wholeheartedly by the people who are burdened with the high Cost of Living (COL). This will have a favourable impact on family budgets, as many Middle Class and poor families struggled to make ends meet in the face of the high COL. However, the Government will maintain the existing levies on some products to safeguard the local farmers whose harvest is just coming to the market. This is in sharp contrast to the UNP’s policy of allowing limitless imports of crops that can be grown locally, much to the detriment of local farmers. Farmers received another concession on Thursday night in the form of a pledge to write off agricultural loans obtained during the last three years, apart from a reduction in fertiliser prices.</p>
<p>Another laudable initiative is the reduction of the Telecom levy from 25 percent to 15 percent. A lot of revenue is denied to the local telecom operators as consumers squeezed by the high telecom taxes seek alternatives such as Viber and What’s App to communicate with their loved ones and business contacts abroad, circumventing the traditional IDD system. This step should drive some of that traffic back to the traditional telcos.</p>
<p>Most of the other measures announced have a more long-term outlook and impact but all are centred on giving the local entrepreneur, trader and farmer a more prominent place in the economy. For example, to encourage local entrepreneurs, professionals and migrant workers to remit their earnings in foreign currency on services provided outside Sri Lanka, Income Tax will be exempted on such remittances. The adverse impact created by high indirect taxes will be mitigated by simplification of VAT and NBT. The threshold for the VAT liability of wholesale and retail sector also will be increased from Rs.50 million to Rs.100 million per twelve months providing benefits to small traders and businesses.</p>
<p>The concessionary Income Tax rate of 14% is presently applicable under the SME categories only for Companies. This rate will be extended to include individuals including those providing professional services. VAT on import of fabric will be exempt providing benefits to the small and medium garment manufacturers.</p>
<p>These are timely measures that will no doubt help revive a badly mismanaged, battered and faltering economy. President Sirisena and Prime Minister Rajapaksa are likely to study whether further concessions could be granted to stimulate the economy, now that political stability has been achieved.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-03T01:00:00+05:30">Saturday, November 3, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_14">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F03%2Feditorial%2F167390%2Ftimely-measure&amp;title=A%20timely%20measure"></a>
</span>
Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:23:02 +0000malinga167390 at http://www.dailynews.lkEnding the tax burden http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/11/02/editorial/167272/ending-tax-burden
<div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/01/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg"><a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/01/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" title="Ending the tax burden " class="colorbox" data-colorbox-gallery="field_image_gallery-Vcgsr7J3u5g" data-cbox-img-attrs="{&quot;title&quot;: &quot;&quot;, &quot;alt&quot;: &quot;&quot;}"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.dailynews.lk/sites/default/files/news/2018/11/01/Tag-Editorial-1.jpg" width="300" height="197" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-articletags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/print-edition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Print Edition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/editorial" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Editorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The assurance given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was sworn in as Finance Minister on Wednesday, that the people will no more be subjected to excessive taxes, would be welcomed by all citizens irrespective of political affiliations. Assuming duties at his Ministry, Premier Rajapaksa said that in the light of the high Cost of Living (due to excessive taxes) the Government will provide relief to the public. He noted that both direct and indirect taxes have caused a complex situation.</p>
<p>It goes without saying that a Government cannot run a country without taxes. It is through taxes that the salaries of Government teachers, the Forces, Government doctors, public pensions, etc. are paid. In short it is through public taxes that the entire administrative machinery is run. However, taxing should be rational and imposed in a manner that would not burden the public. The previous regime levied taxes willy nilly with even essential items being subjected to unconscionable taxes. This is exactly what Premier Rajapaksa is seeking to redress by levying taxes in a way that the people will not feel the pinch - mala nothala ron gannawa (taking the sap without trampling the flower), as the local idiom he quoted would better explain.</p>
<p>The PM, who was Finance Minister for the entire duration of his ten year Presidency, it may be recalled, never imposed harsh tax measures that would have made a dent in the home budget. He ordered the immediate removal of the fuel tax imposed on electricity bills which was becoming unbearable to the people. One can rest assured, therefore, that he would similarly ease the COL burden which at present has become unbearable.</p>
<p>Typically, Premier Rajapaksa has also laid firm emphasis on reviving local industries which were allowed to go into wrack and ruin by the policies of the UNP which traditionally promoted foreign enterprises. The PM also spoke of reducing unwarranted imports so that the people would once again turn to local products which anyway they had survived on for centuries. The drain in foreign exchange due to across-the-board imports contributed largely towards the current economic crisis. The uncontrolled imports of items that are locally produced in abundance also dealt a body blow to the vegetable and fruit farmer forcing them to destroy their crop for want of a market.</p>
<p>The Premier said that since everything is imported the local farmer had been unfairly treated. In future priority will be given to local products by which the country would be made self-sufficient to give the local farmer more opportunities.</p>
<p>The PM is only too aware that the bulk of the massive vote which the SLPP received at the February 10 Local Government election came from the farmers and the rural community in general who were ignored by the UNP. Hence, the emphasis he has laid towards uplifting the rural economy through the development and upgrading of rural industries which had been allowed to wither away.</p>
<p>The Premier was also insistent that all sectors have to play an active role in resurrecting the economy from the dumps to which it had fallen.”We have to implement an economic policy which could improve all sectors, including exports, tourism and foreign employment. Local and foreign investors would have to play the key role in this process,” he went on to emphasize.</p>
<p>Motorists, nay the entire public, no doubt, will applaud the move by the Prime Minister to scrap the</p>
<p>mila sootheray, the so called price formula devised for petroleum by the former Government which became the butt end of many a joke to most. The recent periodic fuel price hikes, no doubt, had a major bearing on the COL and also the price of domestic LP Gas which even drove up the price of a plain tea of those doing the hard grind. The public will expect the Premier to grant them some relief on this score by reducing the prices of fuel and Gas whenever there is a drop in the World Market prices.</p>
<p>The Prime Minister, in his address, vowed to offer relief covering all segments of the public. Among those who will look up to the Premier for relief, no doubt, will be the pensioners and retirees of the private sector who depend on their terminal benefits such as the EPF for their survival. Disproportionate taxes are levied by commercial banks by way of the debit tax for withdrawals.</p>
<p>These folk depend solely on their savings for their medical and other needs that arise in old age. Newspapers in their “readers’ columns” often publish the lamentations of these sections who served their country well for decades and are now in the evening of their lives. They would be ever grateful to the Prime Minister if some form of relief could be offered to them in this regard. There are also complaints that the special interest rate offered to senior citizens for deposits totaling Rs. 1.5 million under the former regime is not being paid by some banks. This too should be looked into without delay.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-publishing field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2018-11-02T01:00:00+05:30">Friday, November 2, 2018 - 01:00</span></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_15">
<a class="a2a_button_email a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_twitter a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_google_plus a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_pinterest a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_whatsapp a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_facebook_messenger a2a_counter"></a>
<a class="a2a_button_printfriendly"></a>
<a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynews.lk%2F2018%2F11%2F02%2Feditorial%2F167272%2Fending-tax-burden&amp;title=Ending%20the%20tax%20burden%20"></a>
</span>
Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:04:49 +0000malinga167272 at http://www.dailynews.lk